10 Utah high school football running backs to watch in 2013

The door is open for many new running backs to make a splash in Utah high school football during the upcoming 2013 season. Many of the top backs in the state a year ago have graduated and moved on to college ball. Still, that doesn't mean the running talent is any less impressive this time around.

These 10 running backs stand apart as players who appear poised to pile up yardage and wear down defenses en route to special seasons in 2013:

10 Utah Running Backs to Watch in 2013

1. Ula Tolutau, East (Salt Lake City), 6-1, 225, Senior
Tolutau committed to play for Wisconsin over the summer and it's easy to see why the Badgers covet this recruit. He is a physical runner who also possesses a high degree of speed and mobility for his size. Tolutau rushed for 1,332 yards and 11 touchdowns on 187 carries as a junior for East. He committed to play for Wisconsin over Utah, BYU, Utah State and Hawaii.

2. Tani Lehauli, Granger (West Valley City), 6-1, 185, Senior
Lehauli could start to rack up offers from several FBS schools if he can build on a promising junior season. He finished fourth in the state overall in rushing yardage last fall and led all juniors with 1,759 yards and 15 touchdowns on 199 carries. Lehauli has blossomed under the tutelage of Fahu Tahi, an ex-Minnesota Viking fullback who holds the all-time Utah high school rushing record with 5,663 yards.

3. Bridger Cowdin, Desert Hills (St. George), 5-11, 182, Junior
Cowdin is already emerging as a hot prospect for 2015. He had 1,872 all-purpose yards as a sophomore and rushed for 954 yards and 8 touchdowns on 160 carries. Cowdin is drawing interest from BYU, Utah, Utah State and several Big 10, Pac 12, SEC and ACC schools. He will also play at slot receiver in some passing situations for the Thunder.

4. Brandon Farmer, Herriman (West Herriman), 5-8, 161, Senior
Farmer could be one of the top rushers in 5A as the featured back in a power run offense under new head coach Dustin Pearce. He offers plenty of breakaway speed, as evidenced by the 1,007 yards and 7 touchdowns he tallied on 82 carries as a junior. Farmer also stood out on special teams, adding 601 yards and two scores in the return game.

5. Clay Moss, Jordan (Sandy), 6-1, 195, Senior
Moss does not draw a ton of attention sharing the backfield with star QB Austin Kafentzis, but he is still dangerous when it comes to making big plays. Moss racked up 1,111 yards and 22 touchdowns on 156 carries as a junior. He is a multi-sport star for the Beetdiggers, excelling at wrestling and baseball, among other things.

6. Chase Williams, Juan Diego Catholic (Draper), 5-10, 168, Senior
Williams will be the engine that gets the Soaring Eagle triple option attack moving once again. He enjoyed a strong junior season, rushing for 1,266 yards and 17 touchdowns on 181 carries. Williams will get plenty of help from backfield mate Jesse Springer, who rushed for 917 yards and seven scores on 143 carries a year ago.

7. Cole Casper, Maple Mountain (Spanish Fork, Utah), 5-11, 176, Junior
Casper appears headed for a special season if he builds on what he accomplished this spring. He was one of 25 players selected to the Los Angeles Nike SPARQ All-Combine Team in March. Casper shined as a sophomore for the Golden Eagles. He ran for 492 yards and five touchdowns on 67 carries behind primary back K.J. Hall. Casper also added 167 yards on 20 catches. He will likely step into a featured back role this fall.

8. Scott Nichols, Bingham (South Jordan), 5-10, 165, Senior
Nichols is looking to build on a strong finish to his junior season and give a strong Miners offense another reliable weapon. He accumulated 615 yards and seven touchdowns on 79 carries last fall. His best performance came in his final three games. Nichols tallied 291 yards and four scores on 38 carries in that stretch. An experienced Miners offensive line should open plenty of holes for Nichols this fall.

9. Ryan Absher, Lehi, 5-9, 165, Senior
It has been a long time since the Pioneers were relevant in football. If Lehi can break through for its first winning season in nine years, Absher will play a central role in making it come together. He rushed for 1,043 yards and scored five touchdowns on 163 carries last season.

10. Koi Cook, Grand County (Moab), 6-1, 175, Senior
The Red Devils are counting on Cook to anchor the team both ways. He led Grand in rushing as a junior with 868 yards and 12 touchdowns on 94 carries. Cook was also the team's defensive star with a Class 2A best 129 tackles and a team-high three interceptions. He tallied more than twice the number of tackles as his next closest teammate.

John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps.com. He is a former prep sports reporter with the Salt Lake Tribune and the Deseret News. You can contact him at john_coon@hotmail.com.